Discover the bold Southern fusion that transforms ordinary chicken salad into something extraordinary with this spot-on copycat of Chicken Salad Chick’s beloved Barbie-Q. This isn’t your grandmother’s delicate tea party chicken salad; this is what happens when barbecue meets comfort food in the most delicious way possible.
The combination of smoky barbecue sauce with tangy ranch seasoning creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting, turning simple ingredients into a crave-worthy dish perfect for everything from weekday lunches to weekend gatherings.
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Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
Think of this Chicken Salad Chick Barbie-Q recipe as the result of what could happen if you asked a pitmaster to prepare the chicken salad for a classic Southern afternoon tea. It’s a bold twist on what is too often a dainty dish. The combination of BBQ sauce and dry ranch dressing mix turns a creamy, comforting, typically bland dish into something sweet, smoky, and flavorful.
This copycat Chicken Salad Chick Barbie-Q chicken salad recipe is easy to make and flavorful, perfect for everything from a weekday lunch to a weekend picnic.
Ingredients and their roles
- Chicken tenderloins are the main protein in this dish. They can easily absorb other flavors since they don’t have a robust taste. Chicken tenders are inexpensive and cook evenly.
- Low-sodium chicken stock provides an easy poaching liquid that amplifies the chicken flavor. Using low-sodium chicken stock allows you to control sodium since other ingredients like BBQ sauce and ranch salad dressing mix can contain different salt levels depending on the brand.
- Mayonnaise – carries the other flavors of the dressing and has a rich and creamy mouthfeel.
- Barbecue sauce (use your favorite) – makes Chicken Salad Chick’s Barbie-Q copycat recipe chicken salad unique. You control the salad’s heat, smokiness, tang, and sweetness by choosing different BBQ sauces.
- Dry ranch salad dressing mix – delivers a sharp tang of buttermilk along with a variety of aromatic herbs.
- Salt – enhances the flavor of other ingredients in the copycat Chicken Salad Chick Barbie-Q recipe.
- Ground black pepper – a classic seasoning that brings mild heat to the dish.
How to make Barbie-Q Chicken Salad
To cook the chicken for this recipe:
- Add the chicken tenders to the bottom of a large pan in a single layer.
- Pour enough low-sodium chicken stock to cover the chicken by about half an inch.
- Place a large pot over medium heat.
- Bring the low-sodium chicken stock to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. You may need to adjust the temperature to prevent the stock from boiling.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the stock and reserve. Cool, strain, and save the stock for another purpose.
To prepare the BBQ chicken salad:
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, dry ranch dressing mix, salt, and ground black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Shred the room-temperature chicken using two forks or your favorite method.
- Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the mayo-based dressing. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is well-coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the ingredients to combine. Check out the section below for some serving suggestions.
Servings Suggestions
- Stuffed. Try hollowing out a tomato and filling it with this Chicken Salad Chick Barbie Q copycat recipe. For something creamier, pile it on top of half an avocado.
- As a sandwich, keep it classic by serving the chicken salad as the filling. Keep it classy by using thinly sliced, toasted fruit and nut bread. Try going with a croissant or roll for a heartier sandwich.
- On lettuce. Cut carbs by making a wrap or serving the chicken salad on lettuce cups.
What else can you serve with Barbie-Q Chicken Salad?
No matter how you serve this Chicken Salad Chick Barbie Q copycat recipe, it’s better with one of these sides:
Ambrosia Salad. Ambrosia Salad is a staple of the Southern kitchen, a heavenly combination of sweet orange segments, tart pineapple tidbits, and chewy coconut flakes. This version of Ambrosia Salad from Luby’s is a classic and straightforward recipe that is bright and refreshing.
Mojo Potatoes. Mojo Potatoes from Shakey’s Pizza put ordinary potato chips to shame. Before these thinly sliced potatoes are deep-fried, they get a quick dunk in egg wash and a hearty coating of seasoned flour. The result is a crispy exterior and a soft and fluffy interior. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, or use the potatoes as a base for the chicken salad.
Side Salad. Salads are a perfect accompaniment to Barbie-Q Chicken Salad. They are easy to make and endlessly customizable. If you don’t know where to start, you can’t go wrong with this basic salad inspired by the one they serve at the Olive Garden.
Storage instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep chilled at all times, and stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing.
- Reheating Method: This salad is served cold and does not require reheating. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as mayonnaise-based salads separate when frozen and do not restore to original texture when thawed.
More Chicken Salad Chick copycat recipes
Favorite copycat chicken salad recipes
- Arby’s Pecan Chicken Salad
- Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad
- Jason’s Deli Chicken Salad
- Newk’s Chicken Salad
Check out my easy chicken salad recipes and the best fast food copycat recipes on CopyKat!
Chicken Salad Chick Barbie-Q
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 32 ounces low sodium chicken stock
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 teaspoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken tenders in a pot and cover with chicken stock. Poach over medium heat until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and shred using two forks or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, dry ranch mix, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add the shredded chicken to the bowl and mix thoroughly.
- For best flavor, refrigerate the chicken salad for a few hours before serving as a sandwich filling, on crackers, or over a bed of lettuce.
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